Politically active in NJ... Support your ability to fly...

[carusoam]

If this applies to you...

By the time you are able to afford private aviation, you may not be able to qualify for a class 3 medical...

Or become familiar with what is called an SI, for Special Issuance.

Science and medicine has come along way since the FAA invented the class three medical...

************

The following is written by AOPA, where I am a member...

Please contact your Senators and Representative (contact information below) and politely ask them to co-sponsor the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act. A phone call generally creates the fastest results.

Senator Robert Menendez, (202) 224-4744, or leave message on website at http://menendez.senate.gov/

Senator Cory Booker, (202) 224-3224, or leave message on website at http://booker.senate.gov

Congressman Leonard Lance, (202) 225-5361, or leave message on website at http://lance.house.gov/

When you call, tell them you are a constituent and that:

You support H.R. 3708 (Rokita) in the House and S. 2103 (Boozman) in the Senate.

These bills expand on the FAA’s successful sport pilot medical standard.

This measure will save pilots and the FAA money and time.

These bills address the number one concern of pilots.

General aviation is a vital part of the nation’s transportation system and we hope our Congressman/Senator will cosponsor.

There are a number of Representatives and Senators that have already signed on as cosponsors to these bills. See a list here. In the event that one of your congressmen is already a cosponsor, we encourage you to write a note of appreciation and thank them for being one of the first to support this critical legislation.

*****

Thank you,

-a-

[Cruiser]

I just sent both senators and my representative an email in support.

[MARZ]

I just picked up my annual pack of stress test, blood work and doctors appraisal paperwork to send to Oklahoma for my off year class three authorization to fly.

I've already written my reps. Think I'll send me another round

I just picked up my annual pack of stress test, blood work and doctors appraisal paperwork to send to Oklahoma for my off year class three authorization to fly.

I've already written my reps. Think I'll send them another round

[Danb]

I also sent to my 3 beloved State leaders

[jkhirsch]

Can you link the list of co-sponsers?

 

...sorry for being lazy.

[MooneyBob]

Will do.

[1964-M20E]

I agree the measure needs our support but it does not go far enough.  We need to eliminate the 3rd class physical all together. 

 

However, I would be agreeable to a physical where it is just you and the doctor who make the decision if you can fly or not as a replacement for the 3^rd class.  Just you and the doc talking while he examines you and if you are coherent, can see, hear and physically move about then you get you medical.  No FAA bureaucrat interfering with the process requiring multitudes of test data etc. and very loose and general standards to pass the physical.

[Robert C.]

Can you link the list of co-sponsers?

 

...sorry for being lazy.

 

Click the "show" button at the word "cosponsors."

 

It's a nice and impressive list

 

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3708

 

Here is what i wrote to mine:

 

....I am writing to ask for your co-sponsorship and support for S. 2103 and H.R. 3708, the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act. This bill would not only save the Federal Aviation Administration and individual aviators money and time, it would address a top priority for the hundreds of thousands of pilots who face expensive regulatory burdens to enjoy the freedom of flight.

 

This legislation builds on the overwhelmingly positive safety aspects of the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category introduced in 2004, which permits pilots to operate certain types of aircraft with a valid drivers license in lieu of a traditional medical certificate. The category and its medical certification standard have been a resounding success, and there is no significant difference between the medically-related incident rate of LSA pilots and pilots with traditional certificates. This shows that self-evaluation is already working and can be expanded to a wider pool of recreational pilots. 

 

Furthermore, these bills offer a meaningful way to save tax dollars AND cut regulatory burdens. It also boosts the vitality of our nations' general aviation system, an essential part of the American transportation infrastructure. General aviation builds commerce, aids communities, and creates jobs throughout our nation, including in our state. These proposals would provide more opportunities for jobs and growth, while maintaining high safety standards desired by everyone in aviation. 

 

As a constituent, I believe that this proposed legislation will have a significant and positive effect for recreational aviation participants and members of the general public. Therefore, I urge you to consider co-sponsoring and supporting S. 2103 and H.R. 3708, which is beneficial, revenue-neutral, and common-sense legislation.This will aid in economic recovery of the GA industry. It is badly needed.

 

Sincerely,

[jkhirsch]

Just want to say thanks for that link...that's a fantastic website that I had not previously been exposed to.

[carusoam]

Got the response letter today. Feels like I did something important....

Dear Mr. Caruso:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for S. 2103, the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act. Your opinion is very important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this critical issue.

As you may know, the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise regulations to lift any medical certification or proof of health requirements for pilots that possess a valid driver's license, are not being paid, are carrying five passengers or less, and are flying at relatively low speeds and altitudes, among other provisions. This bill was introduced in the Senate on March 11, 2014, and has been referred to the committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which I am not a member.

Please be assured that I will keep your views squarely in mind should the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act come up for a vote before the full Senate.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.

[MooneyBob]

That's nice. Yes, it is important.

[carusoam]

Making headway...

FAA Pursues Rulemaking on Third Class Medical Issue

The FAA is beginning a rulemaking project that will consider whether to allow private pilots, in certain instances, to substitute a driver’s license in lieu of a FAA medical certificate. This project is in consideration of a March 20, 2012 petition from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), for an exemption from FAA rules to allow AOPA/EAA members flying recreationally (and according to certain operational limitations and restrictions) to conduct certain operations without having an FAA medical certificate. The FAA is considering whether it can provide any relief to the medical requirement, while maintaining safety, prior to completion of the rule.

More information about the “Private Pilot Privileges without a Medical Certificate” project will be posted soon in the April report on DOT’s Significant Rulemakings site: http://www.dot.gov/regulations/report-on-significant-rulemakings